Automatable internal endless film parting tool

Abstract

An automatable tool can part an internal endless film from a mold. A preferred embodiment includes a lead member and a lap member having parallel axes, and rotating about an axis intermediate to their axes. The lead member may be provided with a separation tip used to initiate separation of a film from a mold. A trailer member can also be provided and all three members are inserted internal to a mold. The lead member is inserted so as to be on the outside of the film while the lap member and trailer member remain internal to the film. Upon rotation of a connection means between the lead and lap members, the film is wound up on the tool so that it may be removed from the mold.

I claim: 
     
       1. A tool for removing an endless film from an interior surface of a mold, said tool comprising: a) initial separation means for initiatingseparation of an endless film from an interior surface of a mold; and   b) a film collecting assembly, comprising means for winding up said film.   
     
     
       2. A tool as in claim 1 wherein said film collecting assembly comprises means for completing separation of said film from said interior surface. 
     
     
       3. A tool as in claim 2, wherein said film collecting assembly comprises a lead member and a lap member having axes substantially parallel to each other, said lead member and lap member being revolvable about an intermediate axis substantially parallel to and between said lead member axis and said lap member axis. 
     
     
       4. A tool as in claim 3, wherein said film collecting assembly further comprises a trailer member having an axis substantially parallel to said lead member axis and said lap member axis. 
     
     
       5. A tool as in claim 3, wherein said lead member and said lap member are mounted on and diametrically spaced apart on a first connection member, and wherein said first connection member is rotatable about said intermediate axis to cause said lead member and said lap member to revolve about said intermediate axis. 
     
     
       6. A tool as in claim 5, further comprising a second connection member, said trailer member being mounted on said second connection member at a first location and said first connection member being rotatably mounted on said second connection member at a second location. 
     
     
       7. A tool as in claim 6, wherein said trailer member is rotatably mounted on said second connection member. 
     
     
       8. A tool as in claim 3, wherein said lead member and said lap member are rotatable about their respective axes. 
     
     
       9. A tool as in claim 5, further comprising a rotational actuator for rotating said first connection member. 
     
     
       10. A tool as in claim 4, wherein at least one of said lead member, lap member and trailer member is made of a rigid thermoplastic material. 
     
     
       11. A tool as in claim 4, wherein each of said lead member, lap member and trailer member has a length substantially as long as a cylindrical mold from which said tool is used to part an endless film. 
     
     
       12. A tool as in claim 3, wherein said means for initiating separation comprises said lead member, and said lead member terminates in a point which is insertable between said film and said interior surface of a mold. 
     
     
       13. A tool as in claim 12, wherein said point is defined by an angle of from 5°--30°. 
     
     
       14. A tool as in claim 13, wherein said point is defined by an angle of about 15°. 
     
     
       15. A tool as in claim 6, wherein said trailer member is adjustably mounted on said second connection member so that a distance between said first location and said second location can be adjusted. 
     
     
       16. A tool as in claim 9, further comprising means for automatically effecting rotation of the rotational actuator. 
     
     
       17. A tool as in claim 1, further comprising means for automatically inserting and withdrawing said tool into and out of a mold.